Heather loses 2-6, 6-3, 5-7

She's played really well, and should take a lot of confidence off to SW19.

-- Edited by wimdledont on Friday 30th of June 2017 12:23:24 PM

Great week Hev, despite today.

Yes, you are an extremely casual follower Jeff. This is Heather's score from R2 in this tournament:

R2: WATSON, Heather (GBR) WC 126 def CIBULKOVA, Dominika (SVK) 4 9 7-5 6-4

And whilst Barbara Strycova might not be such a big name, though she is WR23, Heather beat her by the same score in the third set yesterday. So to answer your question, yes Heather can and does win these deep third set matches...

Jeff Stelling wrote:

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As an extremely casual follower of women's tennis, does Heather Watson ever get deep in the third set against big names and not end up being a noble loser?

Serena, Sharapova and now Wozniacki off the top of my head.

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 Heather beat Elina Svitolina  3-6 7-5 6-4 in Eastbourne 2015

So to answer my question, it appears I'm correct. Not sure beating Svitolina in 2015, Strycova now or an over-ranked Cibulkova in straights qualifies.

Jeff Stelling wrote:

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So to answer my question, it appears I'm correct. Not sure beating Svitolina in 2015, Strycova now or an over-ranked Cibulkova in straights qualifies.

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Well, if you're going to invoke specal measures to qualify everything then, yeah, you're 'correct'.

For example: Cibulkova is currently the WTA Tour finals Champion; WR 9, CH 4; formerly Australian Open RU, French Open SF, twice a Wimbledon QF, 8 other tour titles, including 4 last year, and the defending Champion here in Eastbourne.
But, if, given your previously self-confessed deep expertise and awareness of womens tennis, you want to call her, 'over-ranked', then how could anyone possibly disagree.